From mulled wine and mince pies to turkey with all the trimmings, the talented food buffs atGood Housekeepinghave tasted their way round every supermarket shelf to find the very best food for your Christmas table. These are the festive foods worth forking out on…

What they thought: Golden, flaky pastry parcels seasoned with fine herbs. It's comforting, with creamy mature cheesy spinach and potato beautifully offset by crisp, buttery pastry – a great choice for all the family.

What they thought: Meaty, well-seasoned sausage is wrapped in crispy bacon with just the right amount of fat to give these pigs in blankets a delicious savoury saltiness. Both the sausage and bacon were a pleasing colour.

What they thought: This decadent pudding is beautifully arranged to showcase jewelled fruits with a sprinkle of gold dust. The warming alcohol is balanced nicely with orange marmalade, nuttiness and perfect plump fruit.

What they thought: A classic fruit cake recipe with a contemporary embossed snowflake star design. The freshly baked sponge is layered with sweet icing and almond marzipan, both of which are exceptionally soft and delicious. The buttery cake is crammed full of expertly soaked plump vine fruits and refreshing citrus peel, and laced with sherry and treacle – divine.

What they thought: A luscious, soft, whipped cream consistency, with salted caramel undertones and building brandy warmth. Initially, there was a light sugary crunch, but it immediately melts on contact with a warm mince pie.

What they thought: A glossy red sauce with large, soft cranberries. Tamarind flavours were complemented by a touch of fragrant sweet wine. The aroma of stewed apples and cinnamon make the perfect accompaniment to a Christmas roast.

What they thought: If you're after something to warm you up this Christmas, look no further. This full-bodied festive tipple hits all the right notes. Rich and smoky, with a pleasing fruity acidity - and it's spiced to perfection, too.

What they thought: A rich brioche aroma with lemon zest and curd notes. Baked lemon and rich Bramley apple flavours. Rich, well-balanced and complex. A real treat whether it's on its own or accompanying white fish, poultry or mushroom-based canapés.

What they thought: Creamy yellow and sporadic blue veins make for a dense wedge of cheese. The salt, nuttiness and earthy mushroom flavours are perfectly balanced, but best of all is its buttery, melt-in-the-mouth consistency.

What they thought: This is everything a mince pie should be. It's an attractive, light-gold pastry topped with a festive snowflake-shaped lid sprinkled with sugar. The mincemeat is juicy and infused with cognac and port for a subtle alcoholic kick. The balance between sweet and tart is spot on, complemented by the delicious buttery pastry.

What they thought: Fresh, peach-coloured slivers of salmon that felt tender and meaty in the mouth. Strong aromas of bonfire smokiness and cured saltiness. However, the taste was more subtle, with balanced sea salt, sweetness and gentle smoke flavours.